Family Motto – Do You Have One?

Does your family have a motto? A saying spoken repeatedly, maybe for generations? “What is a motto“, you ask? It is “a short sentence or phrase chosen as encapsulating the beliefs or ideals guiding an individual, family, or institution.”

Here are a few examples:

Always tell the truth – so you don’t have to remember what you said!

Expect the best – prepare for the worst!

Often wrong, but never in doubt!

If you don’t think it can be done, you haven’t thought long enough!

Do what you can with what you have!

Everything happens for a reason!

What goes around comes around!

If Mama ain’t happen – ain’t nobody happy!

No trips to the emergency room!

Something will turn up!

People – not things!

The harder you work the luckier you get!

It will all come out in the wash!

Now can you think of a motto passed down in you family? They seem trite, but the very repetition deepens their strength subconsciously.

There are some very strong biblical mottos that also reinforce family and corporate values; they are mottos of great importance:

“But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Josh 24:15 NIV

“Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised…” Ps 145:3 ESV

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD…” Ps 10:14 ESV

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…” Prov 3:5

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” Phil 4:4 NIV

“Be strong and courageous….for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:9

Though many of our family mottos may be a little quirky, these biblical ones are enduring and release life, authority and power over us and our families (natural and spiritual). Biblical mottos for life reinforce godly values and perspectives. They clarify direction and purpose. They have rubber-meeting-the-road impact!

It takes little effort to expand on this list. I’m sure there are many you can add from your own experience. Maybe it is time to establish a new family motto. What will you choose?

__________

Today’s Prayer

Thank you Father for your Word
filled with foundation stones of easy remembrance;
principles of virtue and strength.
May I listen and hear your voice;
paying attention and truly hearing what You say.
I desire to establish godly, biblical mottos
that will direct and impact
my life, family and those I come in contact with.
I choose today to set your word as
a path of life.